Chapter 6

Waking up in scorching weather is hard work. Your body sticks to the bed like glue and you feel awful, slowing rising to sit up on the edge of the bed. You can never win with the seasons really. Winter is even worse.

Last night I dreamt I dreamt I was back home, living a carefree life. Dad was there, arm in arm with mum. Even V and Zack were getting along. Everything was absolutely perfect. The first few moments of being awake, I thought the dream was genuine. But reality struck and I was back to my gloomy state. Mum has most probably ruined my adolescent life now. I kind of hoped that Ernesto and Mum didnt work out… for Zack’s sake. Actually, I pray. I’m not much of a religious person but I do believe in God and I do go with my grandparents to church on those special days.  I know it’s mean of me praying for my mum’s unhappiness but she wants us to be happy too, right?

My iPhone buzzed on top of the drawers from across the bed. I flinched in shock; I wasn’t expecting any texts… I awkwardly stretched my arm to my phone from on top of the drawer without getting of the bed exactly.

Text from Blocked Number

“Come outside.”

For a few moments I stared at my phone in utter confusion. Maybe they had gotten the wrong number. Surely it wasn’t for me? I didn’t have an outside… but I did have a balcony. It probably was a wrong number, what or who could get onto my balcony? It’s 400 metres off the ground!

I pulled open the blinds and it instantly got hotter. The water was a crystal clear as ever. Yet, there was no one or nothing outside. My heart kind of flattened. I was really expecting something. I walked out onto the balcony, the sun burned onto my skin. Today was going to be a stinker. My phone vibrated in my hand.

“Close your eyes.”

Aww… I thought. Someone must be proposing to their girlfriend or something. They should really check the number before they send. I closed my eyes anyway, just for the fun of it. I waited a few moments. Poor guy…  She might never show up.

“Open your eyes.”

My eyes flicked open and I was instantly filled with rage. That curly headed English boy was here… AGAIN.

“HARRY STYLES WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?” I’m pretty sure I was showering him with spit. Oh well. He deserved it.

“I’ve came to formally apologise.” He held his hands behind his back and looked confidently into my eyes. I avoided his gaze.

“Ok this is the second time you’ve broken into my room. What the hell are you thinking?! How did you get here this time?” My arms were crossed and I was tapping my foot. Great. I probably resembled my mother.

“Well technically this isn’t inside your room. I desperately needed to talk to you Tilly. I brought flowers.” He brought a bouquet of cherry blossoms out from behind his back. I looked around the balcony. Every nook and cranny was filled in with flowers. How had I not noticed all of these before? He walked over to the cushion chest and opened it up. Sure enough, it too was filled with ripe blossoms. The smell was so sweet and fresh. I wondered how the sun wasn’t affecting them…

“Harry… This is outrageous. I don’t know what to say. How did you even get my number?!” I stared down at my feet.

“Then say that you’ll give me another chance. I really like you Tilly.” He grabbed my hand and held it in his. “I know we just met but as soon as I saw you snoozing away in your spaghetti, I knew I had to take you and make you mine.”

I was seriously flabbergasted. Yes that’s the word for it. “Harry…” This was all too much, too soon.

“Tilly, that stunt I pulled on the beach was a mistake and I’m truly sorry. But can we build a bridge and start over?” His hand squeezed mine. It hurt kind of, but it was cute.

I thought for a few moments, my face blank and without any signs of emotion.

“Okay.” I whispered.

“Okay?” His expression was shocked. “I never thought it was going to be that easy…”

I snorted, “You’re on parole. You’ve got one chance to really impress me Harry Styles. And we’re just friends… for now.” Adding a wink at the end.

Harry’s face lit up like a child’s on Christmas day. “I know I can make things right.”

***

We talked until the intense sun set over the welcoming Mediterranean. It was too bad we didn’t head down to the beach, to cool off. Harry and I were too consumed in our deep and meaningful to notice the raging temperature. Sitting on the deck chairs on the balcony, every once in a while we would order room service to satisfy our hunger.

To be honest, I didn’t learn much about Harry in this tête-à-tête. He kept bringing the conversation back to me. Sometimes it was just me talking for so long, I forgot he was there. I did catch his staring a few times. Harry seemed fascinated and curious about my life back home. Like it… shocked him I suppose. I told him about dad. He did happen to tell me about his dad, Joe. From what I’ve heard, they seem close, but not so close. But, I really can’t make assumptions yet. I also mentioned Chynn and Juls, the rift between us.

I felt like I was pouring my heart out to Harry, and he was like my psychiatrist. “You’re rift is yet to be closed young one, Tilly must wait for friends to open up yes Tilly must.”

I snickered, “You’re Yoda impersonation is yet to be improved, yes it is yet to come.” I spoke too soon and as Harry sipped his apple juice, he chuckled and spurted all the juice from his nostrils.

“Oh… charming.” I grabbed the napkin and wiped up the erupted nostril juice from the table.

Harry’s face had turned crimson as he wiped his face clean of the juice. “I’ll have you know that I learnt my impersonation from my friend Zayn, and he is a massive Star Wars nerd. You can imagine how much practice that guy’s had.”

Laughing at the thought of Harry learning how to speak like Yoda I said, “Well this Zayn kid must have a lot of free time on his hands.” HA! Harry must be a nerd.

“Um well actually, me and the guys don’t really have much time at all. They’ve only let us go for a few weeks!” He sipped the last bit of apple juice that remained in his glass.

“You and the guys? Who’s ‘they’?” Maybe he was starting to open up to me…

“Oh! I haven’t told you about them yet have I? There’s Louis, Liam, Niall, Zayn and I. Yeah... we’re kinda in a band. Besties for lifeyyy.” Now he seemed nervous. “Oh um you know, just school!”

“No way! You’re in a band?!? Are you a singer? Can you sing something for me?” That’s something I really hadn’t expected. Harry didn’t seem like the band type.

“Ahh no… It’s getting late. I think you need your sleep.” He started to get up off his chair but I reached up and grabbed his sleeve. “Please Harry, just one line?”

“Fine”, he sighed. “It’s gotta be YOU!!” He howled like a wolf into the night sky. He tried to make it sound cheesy, but I was surprised he could actually hit that note. It was so high…

AROO… AROO… Harry started to bounce around like a dog sniffing his butt and imitating to pee on a pot plant.

“Ok this is just getting weird Jacob… Time for the wolf to go beddy bye.” I patted his back and led him towards the door. “Oh no, I think you are mistaken. Werewolves never sleep my dear. I could stay here and watch you in your slumber.”

I stopped in the doorway as he walked around me into the hallway. “Now that is bringing weird to a whole other level. Goodnight Harry.” I reached into his curls and scruffled it in a friendly gesture. It was so soft and the locks got caught in my fingers, like the curls didn’t want me to let go.

Harry leant forward; I think waiting for a goodnight present. Just to piss him off, I took my hand out of his hair and stuck it in front of me, looking for a hand shake. Harry reclaimed his composure and grinned cheekily, clasping my hand and roughly shaking it up and down. Only, his hands weren’t rough… They were sweaty and somewhat smooth at the same time. Maybe Harry isn’t as composed and confident as I thought he was?

“Goodnight Tilly, it was wonderful talking to you today.” He smiled sheepishly at me. “And thanks again for giving me another chance. You will not be disappointed.”

I leant against the door frame, waiting for him to leave. Although, deep down, I really wanted him to stay. It must have been 5 minutes of us just looking at each other. “Oh! Yes you might want to go to sleep now. Once again, Goodnight Tilly. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Harry slowly turned around and strolled down the hall and I watched his navy blue blazer flap around the corner and out of sight. I stepped inside my room and shut the door. Harry Styles really does know how to impress a girl.